The Dodgers’ best free agent signing this off-season has been right-handed reliever Blake Treinen. They don’t call him ‘The Witch’ for nothing. He has some of the filthiest stuff in baseball. He recently joined in on an interview for MLB Network Radio and discussed the Dodgers and Kenley Jansen:
Blake Treinen is NOT looking to become the #Dodgers new closer. pic.twitter.com/WSFYH3jsTd
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 10, 2020
Praising Kenley
Blake Treinen does not appear to be interested in taking Kenley’s spot:
“Kenley’s still got some nasty stuff and plenty of years ahead of him. I look at him and I’m blessed to be around him. I’m just trying to learn from him.
Treinen on Role
Treinen believes that the Dodgers were the best fit for him this off-season:
“For me, it is really simple — it is the Dodgers game plan to keep me healthy to let be in situations to succeed. It is to use me for big outs. I would be lying if I sat here and said that I didn’t ever want to be a closer again, but I didn’t choose the Dodgers because I wanted to go be a closer. I chose the Dodgers because it was a great situation for me and my family and I feel like I have something I can bring to that as well. There were options out there where I could have had an easier route to the ninth inning, but I’m not trying to pitch the ninth. I’m not trying to pitch the eighth or the seventh. I am just trying to pitch for meaningful outs.”
Treinen Willing to ‘Absorb’
The right-hander seems like he is beyond ready for the upcoming season and he could be a huge member of the club in 2020:
“That team is best when Kenley Jansen is the closer. This is the first opportunity I have had to talk about it because I don’t really care to talk too much about the role in L.A., but Kenley is nasty. I have played against that guy for six or seven years now and every year he has a great year. Just being on a team with him and the guys in that bullpen, I’m looking to walk away learning and being better by being around him. It’s like the osmosis process — hopefully I absorb some of their greatness.”
As most know by now, Treinen was one of the best relief options for any ballclub in 2018. However, injuries and mechanical issues lead to the worst season of his six-year career in 2019. After posting career highs in ERA, FIP, home runs, and walks last season, the new Dodger will be Mark Prior’s first reclamation project as pitching coach for LA.
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